A/N: I personally love this chapter. I hope you do too! Keep reviewing, I
love all your comments so far!! And.. I am telling you that my idea for
Julie's plan is SOOO evil, it will make you laugh! Let's just say holidays
at the Cohen's are not so fun!!!
Chapter 13: Charlotte's Revelation
Julie Cooper, or Nichol, whatever, made sure she plastered on her fake smile as she rapped her knuckles gently on the apartment door.
Through some phone calls by Caleb, Julie had found Summer's address and took it upon herself to formally invite the poor girl to dinner tomorrow. Right.
"One second!" She heard the girl call from inside and Julie let her smile drop suddenly, finding it hard to keep this charade of being nice, up. "Coming!" She heard again, and readjusted her smile as the door opened.
"Julie." Summer said flatly, obviously expecting someone else. "Hi."
Julie let her eyes look up and down Summer, who was looking much better then she had been earlier at their little run in and the pharmacy.
"Summer, darling," Julie smiled eerily at Summer, making her cringe, "Is Marissa around?"
Julie knew perfectly well that Marissa was at the Cohen's, but of course Summer didn't know that.
"She went to Ryan's." Summer said timidly, gesturing for Julie to come in.
"Oh, darn." Julie muttered, exaggerating her disappointment. "Well, I needed to talk to you anyway." Julie beamed at Summer.
"Oh?" Summer asked faintly, feeling her stomach curl up. This was the same feeling she got whenever someone said 'they needed to talk to her'. It always meant something bad. Especially if it's coming from Julie Cooper's mouth. Or Nichol. Oh, screw it.
"I wanted to invite you to Christmas dinner tomorrow night." Julie nodded, persuasively. "Unless you have plans."
"I don't." Summer said, blankly, a little surprised at this offer.
"Well then you just have to drop by!" Julie screeched, a little to excited for Summer's liking, but Summer forced a thankful smile either way.
"I'll try." Summer said, sheepishly. "I'm really sorry Julie, but I'm sort of expecting company." Summer said, trying to get rid of Julie.
"Oh, it's ok. I have to run some errands anyway. If Marissa comes back, tell her I'm looking for her. Oh, and Summer," Julie said alarmingly, before she stepped out, "Be at the Cohen's, at three."
"The Cohen's?" Summer asked, questioningly looking at Julie.
Julie nodded, "The Cooper's are having dinner with the Cohen's." Julie smiled at this.
"Don't you mean the Nichol's?" Summer said, clicking the top of her mouth with her tongue out of annoyance. She wanted to trust Julie, but she just couldn't. Although the prospect of spending Christmas Eve with someone besides a two year old did sound appealing. Not that she didn't love spending time with Charlie, it was just, draining of energy.
Julie just smiled at Summer, nodding. "Of course. It's still all new to me."
"Right." Summer said. "See you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow." Julie repeated, excitedly, smiling as Summer shut the door.
Julie scowled, mocking Summer's apartment in her head, as she went towards the elevator. She couldn't wait to get out of this tackily decorated whorehouse.
***********
"SETH!" Marissa quickly ran down the street, spotting the Rover, driving away slowly. She ran after it, banging on the side of the car, and Seth slowed down so Marissa could catch up.
"Julie . . ." Marissa panted, trying to catch her breath, "Summer."
"Huh?" Seth stared at her, blankly. He hadn't been this happy in a long time, and he wasn't ready to let someone ruin it. And he had a feeling that anything that had to do with Julie was bad. Very bad.
"Julie is at Summer's." Marissa repeated and Seth frowned, as she climbed into the car
"Why?" He asked her, jamming his foot onto the gas pedal, racing off to Summer's apartment.
"Let's find out." Marissa panted. She really needed to work out more.
"Aunt K-i-irsten." Charlotte stammered, frowning that she still couldn't say it right.
"Yes, Charlie?" Kirsten asked, peering at Charlotte from behind her Vogue.
"Do Mommy and Cohen love each other?" Charlotte asked, demandingly.
Kirsten felt taken aback at the child's question, but then, upon forced to think about it, she spoke up, "Yes."
"Do they love each other like you and Uncle Sandy or like Barbie and Ken?"
"What's the difference?" Summer laughed.
"Barbie and Ken never fight. You and Uncle Sandy fight all the time!" Charlotte laughed.
Kirsten frowned, "We don't fight ALL the time." Charlotte saw right through that, which you have to admit, is pretty good for a two year old, and she stared down Kirsten until she spoke, "Sometimes, people who love each other a lot, like Uncle Sandy and I, well, fighting is like the way we say 'I love you'." Kirsten leaned back, watching this silly explanation sink into the girl.
"Cohen and Mommy don't fight." Charlotte began to look very distressed. "Do they not love each other a lot?"
"Oh, no, sweetie." Kirsten began, frantically. "Cohen and Mommy used to fight a lot, but now," Kirsten smiled. "Now they are different. Things have changed."
"Like what?"
"Well, they had you." Kirsten smiled, not thinking of the wrongness of her words. She stood up, tapping Charlotte's shoulder and walking off towards the kitchen for some coffee. "And you make them very happy, all the time."
Charlotte looked down at her Barbie dolls, pondering over this. And remember, she's a very perceptive two year old.
*******************
"Summer!" Seth screamed, knocking on the door furiously.
"What the hell, Cohen?" Summer screamed back, as she flung the door open.
Seth let his arm drop and looked down at her, mystified.
"Um," Was all he could manage to get out.
"Um? Um is the only thing you can say after you practically knocked down my door?" She placed her hands on her hips, in a very Summer-ish fashion, and waited for his response, which there was none, just a guilty look, and she smiled at him. "Come in, you loser."
Seth smiled, desperately holding back every urge to grab her, and Marissa showed up behind him. She had been parking the car while Seth ran up to see if he could catch Julie, but from the look of it, Julie was long gone.
"Your mom was looking for you." Summer said to Marissa, casually, her gaze still on Seth.
Marissa noticed how well they were getting along and backed off a little.
"Better go find her." Marissa rolled her eyes, patting Seth's shoulder. "Could be important." Marissa turned down the hallway and left them in their little adoring gaze.
"Are you going to come in?" Summer asked, walking back towards her bedroom. "Because I pay a lot for the heat bill, and you're letting in a draft."
"What draft?" Seth called. "This hallway, is like, 80 degrees over hot."
He watched as Summer emerged from the bedroom, taking off a gray sweatshirt she had been wearing and grabbing her purse.
"Or maybe it's just you that's heating up the hallway." Seth grinned, leaning back against the door.
"Shut up." Summer blushed, looking down at her fine choice of a black skirt and a simple blue tank top. She had actually put make up and let her hair down, something she rarely does anymore. Black heels and some perfume, and she was a spitting image of her former self. "Ready?" She asked, leading him into the hallway.
"No seriously. Why pay for heat when we have you?" He closed the door behind him, following Summer down the suddenly scorching hallway. *********
"Uncle Sandy." Charlotte asked, walking into his office.
"Charlie!" Sandy looked down at her, adoringly, casting some paper work aside and picking her up, placing her on his lap. "How's my favorite girl?"
"I have a question." Charlotte announced, dismissing his question eagerly.
"Oh," Sandy said, uncomfortably, praying it had nothing to do with babies and where they came from.
"Aunt K-i-i-irsten." Charlotte frowned again, displeased with her pronunciation, which only made Sandy chuckle at how determined she was to fix it, "She said that when people fight, it's cause they love each other."
"Well if Aunt Kirsten said it, then that's true." Sandy laughed.
"Then why don't Mommy and Cohen fight?"
"Summer and Seth?" Sandy laughed full heartedly at the pair. "They fight like crazy Charlie."
"Not when I'm there!" Charlotte squealed.
"Well, they used to."
"Why don't they fight no more?" Charlotte asked, eyeing his every move.
"Because a bundle of joy came into their life. You." He said, squeezing her gently.
"That's what I thought." Charlotte sighed, jumping off his lap.
Sandy watched her leave, passing by Kirsten, who took her place on his lap.
"For a two year old, she is really smart." Sandy stated, kissing Kirsten.
"Must be from all that time she spends with her Aunt Kirsten." Kirsten laughed, kissing him back.
"Isn't it adorable how she calls Seth, Cohen?" Sandy asked her.
"Absolutely." She said, using her 'sexy' voice.
"You know who else is adorable?"
"Seth and Summer reuniting?"
"No."
"Marissa and Ryan?"
"No."
"Caleb and Julie?" Kirsten laughed at Sandy's odd expression at her words and he shook his head vigorously.
"Definitely not." Sandy said. "Ew."
"Oh, god. Don't you start mimicking Summer too. I swear if I hear another 'ew' come out of Charlotte's mouth, I might . . ." She was interrupted by the phone and kissed Sandy gently, as she picked it up.
"Hello? Kiki?" Caleb's voice echoed annoyingly in Kirsten's brain. She jumped off Sandy, taking the phone with her.
"Hi Dad." She rolled her eyes, before leaving the room, who rolled his eyes along with her.
******************
"So, where do you want to go?" Seth asked, starting up the Rover.
"I can't believe you guys still have the Rover."
"Summer, you can't ditch the Rover." He laughed at his words, even though it sent a chill down both their spines. Using her own name and the word ditch didn't feel right in Summer's stomach. "It has feelings too."
"Oh, really?" Summer laughed, casting her guilt aside.
"Uh-huh." Seth smiled. "Like, right now," He stroked the dashboard gently, "The Rover's a little turned on by you."
"Or maybe he's turned on by your incessant stroking?" Summer practically giggled, but ceased slowly as Seth's hand went back to the wheel.
"Wow," Seth said, pulling out of the parking spot. "Déjà vu."
"I know what you mean." Summer said, remembering when her and Seth used to date.
"But," Seth said. "Appreciated, much wanted, much needed déjà vu."
"I know what you mean." Summer said again, watching Newport pass her by.
"So, where do you want to go?" Seth asked again, as they rolled up to a light.
"Surprise me." Summer said, flirtatiously.
"Ok, then." Seth said, sternly, "Surprise you I shall." And he quickly signaled right, which Summer recognized quickly as the route to the beach.
************
"Uncle Ryan?" Charlotte asked, looking up at the new uncle who was sitting in the kitchen.
"Charlotte?" He asked back, patting her head.
"Are you Cohen's friend?"
"We're really good friends." Ryan nodded.
"How good?"
"Like Marissa and your mommy."
"Oh." Charlotte smiled. "Does Cohen love Mommy?"
"He loves her more then you'll ever know, Charlotte." Ryan said, sweetly, amused at these questions being asked.
"Does Mommy love Cohen?" Charlotte quickly asked, sticking to her agenda.
"I think so." Ryan said, nodding.
"Then why did Mommy leave him?" Charlotte asked, causing Ryan to choke on the water he had been drinking and Charlotte simply smiled, egging him on to satisfy her question.
"I think you should ask your Mommy that question." Ryan said and Charlotte frowned.
"But I asked you first!" She stomped her foot, demandingly. It only made Ryan laugh at how determined she was, just like her mom. Just like her dad.
Before Ryan could reply, Kirsten stormed in furiously opening the fridge and grabbing the Merlot. Ryan raised his eye at her, knowing that she had probably just spoken to a Nichol, because that's when Kirsten usually turns into an alcoholic.
"Caleb?" Ryan asked and Kirsten nodded.
"He 'offered' to hire a caterer tomorrow night." Kirsten said, digging in the dishwasher for clean wine glasses.
"Can you blame him?" Ryan asked, picking up Charlotte, who was still frowning at him, but didn't mind the attention.
Kirsten glared at him. "I don't need charity from my father just because I'm not the greatest cook in the world." She sat down on one of the chairs, sipping her drink.
"You can't cook anything, Aunt Kirsten!" Charlotte squealed then clapped at her accomplishment of finally saying Kirsten's name right. "Kirsten!" She said again, smiling. She moved around so much that Ryan placed her in the chair next to him, between laughs.
"Thanks, Charlie." Kirsten smiled. "You said Kirsten right!" She realized, and laughed along. "Now, you need to learn how to say Seth."
"I can say Seth." Charlotte said quickly. "Seth!" She squealed.
"Then why do you still call him Cohen?" Ryan asked, looking down at the smiling girl.
Charlotte shrugged, fighting to get off the chair, Ryan helping her. "Because that's what Mommy always says while she's sleeping."
"What?" Kirsten asked.
"Mommy says," Charlotte rolled her eyes, obviously annoyed that she has to explain herself, "things about Cohen while she sleeps."
"Sleep talking?" Ryan offered; although he couldn't remember Summer ever sleep talking in the past. Kirsten nodded then looked back at the toddler.
"What does Mommy say?"
"That she doesn't want to lie anymore." Charlotte said, rolling her eyes once more, scaring Ryan at the similarity between Summer and herself, "Lying's bad."
"That's right, it is." Ryan chimed.
"What doesn't she want to lie about, Charlie?" Kirsten asked, demandingly.
"Me." Charlotte squealed now, in delight about what, Ryan and Kirsten couldn't figure out.
"Oh," Kirsten said coolly, Ryan and her exchanging knowing looks.
"She loves Cohen and Cohen loves her." Charlotte squealed again, dancing around.
"That's right." Ryan said.
"And they don't fight because they had me." Charlotte squealed again, but then shut herself up, as the adults looked at her questioningly. She ran out the room quickly, laughing and Ryan just stared at Kirsten blankly.
"What is she thinking in that little head of hers?" Kirsten asked, becoming a little lazy with her words from the Merlot.
Ryan shrugged, stretching from his spot as he heard his cell phone ring.
"Can you come pick me up?" Marissa's voice rang out.
"Where are you?" Ryan asked.
"Outside Summer's apartment."
"Alright, give me ten minutes." He shut off the phone, quickly asking Kirsten if he could borrow her car, and she nodded, figuring she couldn't use it anyway, as she swallowed some more of her drink.
***********
"Caleb," Julie called from downstairs.
"Marissa was looking for you." He said, walking down the stairs slowly.
"Oh," Julie frowned. "I was just at Summer's. Her apartment is so small. No place for a child to be raised. I bet you that girl's therapy bills will be sky high when she gets older."
"You don't need to be raised in poverty to have problems, Jules, look at your daughter." Caleb laughed and Julie scowled at him.
"That obviously comes from her father." Julie frowned, embracing Caleb in a hug.
"It's getting a little late, I think I'm going to bed." Caleb yawned.
"I think I'm going to pay a little visit to Sandy Cohen." Julie smiled, clasping her hands together in utter joy.
"And why would you do that?"
"Caleb, darling," She laughed, walking back through the front door. "You need to poke the fire a little to keep the flames from dying out." She laughed again as she closed the door behind her, leaving a smirking Caleb behind her.
Chapter 13: Charlotte's Revelation
Julie Cooper, or Nichol, whatever, made sure she plastered on her fake smile as she rapped her knuckles gently on the apartment door.
Through some phone calls by Caleb, Julie had found Summer's address and took it upon herself to formally invite the poor girl to dinner tomorrow. Right.
"One second!" She heard the girl call from inside and Julie let her smile drop suddenly, finding it hard to keep this charade of being nice, up. "Coming!" She heard again, and readjusted her smile as the door opened.
"Julie." Summer said flatly, obviously expecting someone else. "Hi."
Julie let her eyes look up and down Summer, who was looking much better then she had been earlier at their little run in and the pharmacy.
"Summer, darling," Julie smiled eerily at Summer, making her cringe, "Is Marissa around?"
Julie knew perfectly well that Marissa was at the Cohen's, but of course Summer didn't know that.
"She went to Ryan's." Summer said timidly, gesturing for Julie to come in.
"Oh, darn." Julie muttered, exaggerating her disappointment. "Well, I needed to talk to you anyway." Julie beamed at Summer.
"Oh?" Summer asked faintly, feeling her stomach curl up. This was the same feeling she got whenever someone said 'they needed to talk to her'. It always meant something bad. Especially if it's coming from Julie Cooper's mouth. Or Nichol. Oh, screw it.
"I wanted to invite you to Christmas dinner tomorrow night." Julie nodded, persuasively. "Unless you have plans."
"I don't." Summer said, blankly, a little surprised at this offer.
"Well then you just have to drop by!" Julie screeched, a little to excited for Summer's liking, but Summer forced a thankful smile either way.
"I'll try." Summer said, sheepishly. "I'm really sorry Julie, but I'm sort of expecting company." Summer said, trying to get rid of Julie.
"Oh, it's ok. I have to run some errands anyway. If Marissa comes back, tell her I'm looking for her. Oh, and Summer," Julie said alarmingly, before she stepped out, "Be at the Cohen's, at three."
"The Cohen's?" Summer asked, questioningly looking at Julie.
Julie nodded, "The Cooper's are having dinner with the Cohen's." Julie smiled at this.
"Don't you mean the Nichol's?" Summer said, clicking the top of her mouth with her tongue out of annoyance. She wanted to trust Julie, but she just couldn't. Although the prospect of spending Christmas Eve with someone besides a two year old did sound appealing. Not that she didn't love spending time with Charlie, it was just, draining of energy.
Julie just smiled at Summer, nodding. "Of course. It's still all new to me."
"Right." Summer said. "See you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow." Julie repeated, excitedly, smiling as Summer shut the door.
Julie scowled, mocking Summer's apartment in her head, as she went towards the elevator. She couldn't wait to get out of this tackily decorated whorehouse.
***********
"SETH!" Marissa quickly ran down the street, spotting the Rover, driving away slowly. She ran after it, banging on the side of the car, and Seth slowed down so Marissa could catch up.
"Julie . . ." Marissa panted, trying to catch her breath, "Summer."
"Huh?" Seth stared at her, blankly. He hadn't been this happy in a long time, and he wasn't ready to let someone ruin it. And he had a feeling that anything that had to do with Julie was bad. Very bad.
"Julie is at Summer's." Marissa repeated and Seth frowned, as she climbed into the car
"Why?" He asked her, jamming his foot onto the gas pedal, racing off to Summer's apartment.
"Let's find out." Marissa panted. She really needed to work out more.
"Aunt K-i-irsten." Charlotte stammered, frowning that she still couldn't say it right.
"Yes, Charlie?" Kirsten asked, peering at Charlotte from behind her Vogue.
"Do Mommy and Cohen love each other?" Charlotte asked, demandingly.
Kirsten felt taken aback at the child's question, but then, upon forced to think about it, she spoke up, "Yes."
"Do they love each other like you and Uncle Sandy or like Barbie and Ken?"
"What's the difference?" Summer laughed.
"Barbie and Ken never fight. You and Uncle Sandy fight all the time!" Charlotte laughed.
Kirsten frowned, "We don't fight ALL the time." Charlotte saw right through that, which you have to admit, is pretty good for a two year old, and she stared down Kirsten until she spoke, "Sometimes, people who love each other a lot, like Uncle Sandy and I, well, fighting is like the way we say 'I love you'." Kirsten leaned back, watching this silly explanation sink into the girl.
"Cohen and Mommy don't fight." Charlotte began to look very distressed. "Do they not love each other a lot?"
"Oh, no, sweetie." Kirsten began, frantically. "Cohen and Mommy used to fight a lot, but now," Kirsten smiled. "Now they are different. Things have changed."
"Like what?"
"Well, they had you." Kirsten smiled, not thinking of the wrongness of her words. She stood up, tapping Charlotte's shoulder and walking off towards the kitchen for some coffee. "And you make them very happy, all the time."
Charlotte looked down at her Barbie dolls, pondering over this. And remember, she's a very perceptive two year old.
*******************
"Summer!" Seth screamed, knocking on the door furiously.
"What the hell, Cohen?" Summer screamed back, as she flung the door open.
Seth let his arm drop and looked down at her, mystified.
"Um," Was all he could manage to get out.
"Um? Um is the only thing you can say after you practically knocked down my door?" She placed her hands on her hips, in a very Summer-ish fashion, and waited for his response, which there was none, just a guilty look, and she smiled at him. "Come in, you loser."
Seth smiled, desperately holding back every urge to grab her, and Marissa showed up behind him. She had been parking the car while Seth ran up to see if he could catch Julie, but from the look of it, Julie was long gone.
"Your mom was looking for you." Summer said to Marissa, casually, her gaze still on Seth.
Marissa noticed how well they were getting along and backed off a little.
"Better go find her." Marissa rolled her eyes, patting Seth's shoulder. "Could be important." Marissa turned down the hallway and left them in their little adoring gaze.
"Are you going to come in?" Summer asked, walking back towards her bedroom. "Because I pay a lot for the heat bill, and you're letting in a draft."
"What draft?" Seth called. "This hallway, is like, 80 degrees over hot."
He watched as Summer emerged from the bedroom, taking off a gray sweatshirt she had been wearing and grabbing her purse.
"Or maybe it's just you that's heating up the hallway." Seth grinned, leaning back against the door.
"Shut up." Summer blushed, looking down at her fine choice of a black skirt and a simple blue tank top. She had actually put make up and let her hair down, something she rarely does anymore. Black heels and some perfume, and she was a spitting image of her former self. "Ready?" She asked, leading him into the hallway.
"No seriously. Why pay for heat when we have you?" He closed the door behind him, following Summer down the suddenly scorching hallway. *********
"Uncle Sandy." Charlotte asked, walking into his office.
"Charlie!" Sandy looked down at her, adoringly, casting some paper work aside and picking her up, placing her on his lap. "How's my favorite girl?"
"I have a question." Charlotte announced, dismissing his question eagerly.
"Oh," Sandy said, uncomfortably, praying it had nothing to do with babies and where they came from.
"Aunt K-i-i-irsten." Charlotte frowned again, displeased with her pronunciation, which only made Sandy chuckle at how determined she was to fix it, "She said that when people fight, it's cause they love each other."
"Well if Aunt Kirsten said it, then that's true." Sandy laughed.
"Then why don't Mommy and Cohen fight?"
"Summer and Seth?" Sandy laughed full heartedly at the pair. "They fight like crazy Charlie."
"Not when I'm there!" Charlotte squealed.
"Well, they used to."
"Why don't they fight no more?" Charlotte asked, eyeing his every move.
"Because a bundle of joy came into their life. You." He said, squeezing her gently.
"That's what I thought." Charlotte sighed, jumping off his lap.
Sandy watched her leave, passing by Kirsten, who took her place on his lap.
"For a two year old, she is really smart." Sandy stated, kissing Kirsten.
"Must be from all that time she spends with her Aunt Kirsten." Kirsten laughed, kissing him back.
"Isn't it adorable how she calls Seth, Cohen?" Sandy asked her.
"Absolutely." She said, using her 'sexy' voice.
"You know who else is adorable?"
"Seth and Summer reuniting?"
"No."
"Marissa and Ryan?"
"No."
"Caleb and Julie?" Kirsten laughed at Sandy's odd expression at her words and he shook his head vigorously.
"Definitely not." Sandy said. "Ew."
"Oh, god. Don't you start mimicking Summer too. I swear if I hear another 'ew' come out of Charlotte's mouth, I might . . ." She was interrupted by the phone and kissed Sandy gently, as she picked it up.
"Hello? Kiki?" Caleb's voice echoed annoyingly in Kirsten's brain. She jumped off Sandy, taking the phone with her.
"Hi Dad." She rolled her eyes, before leaving the room, who rolled his eyes along with her.
******************
"So, where do you want to go?" Seth asked, starting up the Rover.
"I can't believe you guys still have the Rover."
"Summer, you can't ditch the Rover." He laughed at his words, even though it sent a chill down both their spines. Using her own name and the word ditch didn't feel right in Summer's stomach. "It has feelings too."
"Oh, really?" Summer laughed, casting her guilt aside.
"Uh-huh." Seth smiled. "Like, right now," He stroked the dashboard gently, "The Rover's a little turned on by you."
"Or maybe he's turned on by your incessant stroking?" Summer practically giggled, but ceased slowly as Seth's hand went back to the wheel.
"Wow," Seth said, pulling out of the parking spot. "Déjà vu."
"I know what you mean." Summer said, remembering when her and Seth used to date.
"But," Seth said. "Appreciated, much wanted, much needed déjà vu."
"I know what you mean." Summer said again, watching Newport pass her by.
"So, where do you want to go?" Seth asked again, as they rolled up to a light.
"Surprise me." Summer said, flirtatiously.
"Ok, then." Seth said, sternly, "Surprise you I shall." And he quickly signaled right, which Summer recognized quickly as the route to the beach.
************
"Uncle Ryan?" Charlotte asked, looking up at the new uncle who was sitting in the kitchen.
"Charlotte?" He asked back, patting her head.
"Are you Cohen's friend?"
"We're really good friends." Ryan nodded.
"How good?"
"Like Marissa and your mommy."
"Oh." Charlotte smiled. "Does Cohen love Mommy?"
"He loves her more then you'll ever know, Charlotte." Ryan said, sweetly, amused at these questions being asked.
"Does Mommy love Cohen?" Charlotte quickly asked, sticking to her agenda.
"I think so." Ryan said, nodding.
"Then why did Mommy leave him?" Charlotte asked, causing Ryan to choke on the water he had been drinking and Charlotte simply smiled, egging him on to satisfy her question.
"I think you should ask your Mommy that question." Ryan said and Charlotte frowned.
"But I asked you first!" She stomped her foot, demandingly. It only made Ryan laugh at how determined she was, just like her mom. Just like her dad.
Before Ryan could reply, Kirsten stormed in furiously opening the fridge and grabbing the Merlot. Ryan raised his eye at her, knowing that she had probably just spoken to a Nichol, because that's when Kirsten usually turns into an alcoholic.
"Caleb?" Ryan asked and Kirsten nodded.
"He 'offered' to hire a caterer tomorrow night." Kirsten said, digging in the dishwasher for clean wine glasses.
"Can you blame him?" Ryan asked, picking up Charlotte, who was still frowning at him, but didn't mind the attention.
Kirsten glared at him. "I don't need charity from my father just because I'm not the greatest cook in the world." She sat down on one of the chairs, sipping her drink.
"You can't cook anything, Aunt Kirsten!" Charlotte squealed then clapped at her accomplishment of finally saying Kirsten's name right. "Kirsten!" She said again, smiling. She moved around so much that Ryan placed her in the chair next to him, between laughs.
"Thanks, Charlie." Kirsten smiled. "You said Kirsten right!" She realized, and laughed along. "Now, you need to learn how to say Seth."
"I can say Seth." Charlotte said quickly. "Seth!" She squealed.
"Then why do you still call him Cohen?" Ryan asked, looking down at the smiling girl.
Charlotte shrugged, fighting to get off the chair, Ryan helping her. "Because that's what Mommy always says while she's sleeping."
"What?" Kirsten asked.
"Mommy says," Charlotte rolled her eyes, obviously annoyed that she has to explain herself, "things about Cohen while she sleeps."
"Sleep talking?" Ryan offered; although he couldn't remember Summer ever sleep talking in the past. Kirsten nodded then looked back at the toddler.
"What does Mommy say?"
"That she doesn't want to lie anymore." Charlotte said, rolling her eyes once more, scaring Ryan at the similarity between Summer and herself, "Lying's bad."
"That's right, it is." Ryan chimed.
"What doesn't she want to lie about, Charlie?" Kirsten asked, demandingly.
"Me." Charlotte squealed now, in delight about what, Ryan and Kirsten couldn't figure out.
"Oh," Kirsten said coolly, Ryan and her exchanging knowing looks.
"She loves Cohen and Cohen loves her." Charlotte squealed again, dancing around.
"That's right." Ryan said.
"And they don't fight because they had me." Charlotte squealed again, but then shut herself up, as the adults looked at her questioningly. She ran out the room quickly, laughing and Ryan just stared at Kirsten blankly.
"What is she thinking in that little head of hers?" Kirsten asked, becoming a little lazy with her words from the Merlot.
Ryan shrugged, stretching from his spot as he heard his cell phone ring.
"Can you come pick me up?" Marissa's voice rang out.
"Where are you?" Ryan asked.
"Outside Summer's apartment."
"Alright, give me ten minutes." He shut off the phone, quickly asking Kirsten if he could borrow her car, and she nodded, figuring she couldn't use it anyway, as she swallowed some more of her drink.
***********
"Caleb," Julie called from downstairs.
"Marissa was looking for you." He said, walking down the stairs slowly.
"Oh," Julie frowned. "I was just at Summer's. Her apartment is so small. No place for a child to be raised. I bet you that girl's therapy bills will be sky high when she gets older."
"You don't need to be raised in poverty to have problems, Jules, look at your daughter." Caleb laughed and Julie scowled at him.
"That obviously comes from her father." Julie frowned, embracing Caleb in a hug.
"It's getting a little late, I think I'm going to bed." Caleb yawned.
"I think I'm going to pay a little visit to Sandy Cohen." Julie smiled, clasping her hands together in utter joy.
"And why would you do that?"
"Caleb, darling," She laughed, walking back through the front door. "You need to poke the fire a little to keep the flames from dying out." She laughed again as she closed the door behind her, leaving a smirking Caleb behind her.